Controlled Release of Photoresponsive Nematic Liquid Crystalline Microcapsules

Abstract

Water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion with a photo‐responsive nematic liquid crystalline shell showing ultraviolet (UV) light‐triggered release of contents is successfully produced. Under UV light, the defects of the molecular orientational order caused by being sandwiched between the spherical interfaces gather together, the shell deforms, and the inner water droplets are released to the outer phase.

Keywords

• controlled release
• liquid crystals
• microcapsules
• photoresponsivity